A GOOD STORY.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 26, Issue 63, 3 August 1915, Page 7

A GOOD STORY.

Previous to the construction of th« Ladies’ Gallery in the House of Com mons the only spot from which anj lady could hear the debates was from the ventilator opening in the roof.

Elizabeth Fry was the first woman to be allowed to go up there. The Quaker Members of Parliament procured from the Speaker a permit for her to be there during the debates on prison reform, in their votes on which they were always guided by her experienceed advice. Other ladies followed occasionally, but it was a most uncomfortable place—dark, and with only room for about two chairs Well, one day Feargus O’Connell, son of the “Liberator,” was going to make a speech, which he intended should be a very fine one, and so he (like a good husband, caring more for the verdict of the critic on the hearth than any other) arranged for his wife to be in the ventilator hole to listen.

As soon as he had done speaking he rushed upstairs, and, entering the dark place, saw as he supposed, his wife turn to greet him. He threw his arm around her neck and kissed her warmly as he said, "Well, my darling, j what do you think of it ?” But it chanced that his wife had not come, and that the wild Irishman had embraced a duchess 1 , the wife of an influential Minister, who declared to her husband that such mistakes must be prevented in the future by making a proper ladies’ gallery.